ARTHUR JOSEPH SEAGER
Image from 1916 Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury newspaper.
Known to his family as MONTY
Born: 1892, Stoke, Ipswich.
Died: 18th August 1916; age 24; KiA. Served 23 months in France.
Residence: 3, Bright Street, Ipswich.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Date of Entry Therein: 8th November 1914.
Rank: Sergeant; Service Number: 1129
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star + Military Medal.
10th October 1916 – Gazette No. 29780. Military Medal. His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned.
The body was discovered in 1920, exhumed, and identified by a Cross on the Grave, before reburial at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery.
Grave Reference:
IX.G.21.
Longueval,
Somme,
France.
Brother-in-law to SPENCER JAMES POLLARD.
CENSUS
1901 18, David Street, Ipswich.
Arthur was 9 years old and living with his mother & siblings.
Jessie Seager (nee Sheppard), 34, born Ipswich.
Lucy Ellen Seager, 12, born Ipswich.
Mary Ann Jessie Seager, 7, born Ipswich.
William Patrick Seager, 5, born Ipswich.
Alice Maud Seager, 3, born Ipswich.
Baden Robert Seager, 7 months, born Ipswich.
1911 78, Purplett Street, Ipswich.
Arthur was 19 years old, a Labourer – Iron Foundry. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Arthur Jones Seager, 45, a Crane Driver – Dock Commissioners, born Ipswich.
Jessie, 44.
Lucy, 21, a Machinist – Corset Factory.
Mary Ann, 17, a Machinist – Corset Factory.
William, 15, a Brass Polisher.
Alice, 13, a Servant – Day Girl.
Albert Edward Seager, 9, born Ipswich.
Julia Ellen Seager, 5, born Ipswich.
Evelyn Doris Seager, 2, born Ipswich.
Ruby Violet Seager, 1 month, born Ipswich.
In 1914, Ipswich, Arthur married Margaret Ethel Pollard, born May 1892, Ipswich – daughter of Edward Denny Pollard, a bricklayer, and Charlotte Pollard (nee Abbott), of 30, Purplett Street, Ipswich.
Margaret and Arthur had one son:
Harry Arthur Edward Seager, born February 1914, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Margaret E. Seager – widow.
“High Wood”
Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion:
Suffolk Regiment records show:
4th Btn. On the 18th, not long before zero hour, captain H.F. Ling was wounded, and still later, Lieut. R.D. Hume, M.C., entailing important changes in command at the last moment. Captain Ling remained in the trenches until the attack was over. Neither of the battalions on the right and left was able to make much progress. The 4th Battalion, in the centre, pushed forward. For a time two of our companies occupied Wood Lane trench, but being unsupported, and 2nd Lieut. Bedwell (the only officer to reach the trench) having been killed, it was impossible to hold on. However, considering that the battalion has attacked after four days in the front line, it was justly pleased with its work. A rough night followed, during which the battalion was relieved. Early next morning they moved to Fricourt Wood, and at sundown proceeded to a camp north-east of Meaulte, near Albert Road. The casualties on August 18th were as follows – Killed: 2nd Lieuts. V.L.S. Bedwell, H.C. Pawsey, and E. Norton, and 33 other ranks. Wounded: Captain H.F.Ling; 2nd Lieut. N.E. Suttle, and 108 other ranks. Missing: 50 other ranks. Total, 196. The 2nd battalion were seeing action at Cochrane Alley. The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914 – 1927 by Lieut.-Colonel C.C.R. Murphy (late the Suffolk Regiment)
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